Being underweight is defined as having a body mass index (BMI) below the normal range for one's age and gender. Everyone dreams of having an ideal body, free from both obesity and excessive thinness. Underweight can have various causes, including genetic predisposition in some families, malnutrition, certain medical conditions such as thyroid dysfunction, malabsorption, intestinal parasites, or loss of appetite due to mood swings. Many foods are high in calories and can contribute to weight gain, and we will mention some of the best options here, which may be helpful for cases of non-medical underweight.
Best Foods for Treating Underweight:
Treating Underweight
1- Carbohydrates: Carbohydrate sources vary and include rice, pasta, and pastries. All of these provide the body with high calories that promote weight gain. To treat underweight, you should increase your daily carbohydrate intake to three or four servings.
2- Healthy Fats and Oils: Butter, cream, and vegetable oils are rich in calories that contribute to rapid and effective weight gain. They increase body mass and promote fat accumulation. However, it should also be consumed with extreme caution to prevent it from accumulating on the walls of arteries, blood vessels, and the heart, which can harm health and lead to serious illnesses.
3- Cocoa: It contains high calories, which contribute to weight gain. These calories can be further increased by adding whole milk, which already contains fat, and by increasing the amount of added sugar.
4- Fenugreek: One of the most well-known seeds for combating thinness and promoting weight gain. Fenugreek is used in many ways: it can be drunk as a decoction on its own or added to blackstrap molasses and sesame seeds, which also contribute significantly to weight gain when consumed daily.
5- Blackstrap Molasses: Blackstrap molasses is extracted by boiling sugarcane juice. It is very rich in iron and also contains a very high percentage of sugar, which can lead to weight gain. Blackstrap molasses can be used to gain weight by consuming it alone daily, adding it to dates, pastries, and cakes, or using it as a sugar substitute in drinks.
6- Dates: Dates contain a high percentage of easily digestible and absorbed sugars. Dates are consumed regularly and added to milk. Date syrup is also beneficial for weight gain.
7- Figs: Figs are a sweet fruit rich in sugars. Therefore, consuming them regularly contributes to weight gain. They can be soaked in water with raisins and milk, further increasing their calorie content.
8- Dried Fruits: When fruit is dried, it loses its natural water content, resulting in a concentration of sugars. Therefore, dried fruits like raisins, apricots, and figs are a good source for treating thinness.
9- Nuts: Nuts such as hazelnuts, almonds, walnuts, and peanuts contain a large amount of natural oils. Consuming them regularly helps with weight gain and combats thinness.
10- Lentils: Lentils contain a high percentage of starches, carbohydrates, and vegetable fats, which contribute to rapid weight gain. Therefore, they are a proven grain for weight gain. Their benefits are enhanced when added to rice and bread.